Expo Dates and Hours

*Box Office closes 1 hour prior to the end of the Show each day. The best hours to attend the Show for ease of parking and smaller crowds is in the late afternoon and early evening.

Directions, Transportation and Parking

Where is the Convention Center located?

The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center is located in the Seaport District at 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210.

How do I get there?

Visit our Directions & Parking page, or contact the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 617-954-2000, or visit their website here. Please note that public parking in the Seaport District has been decreasing. Public transportation is strongly encouraged.

Where can I park?

Visit our Directions & Parking page, or visit the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center’s website here. Please note that public parking in the Seaport District has been decreasing. Public transportation is strongly encouraged.

How much does parking cost?

Parking in the Convention Center parking lot is $18. Valet parking is $30. For more information, visit the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center’s website here. Please keep in mind that the Show is held at the Convention Center and the building dictates all prices and rules regarding parking. The Show only rents the space from the building and therefore has no influence or control over prices, rules, and regulations regarding parking in and around the Convention Center.

Where is the nearest EV charging station?

The Seaport Hotel (1 Seaport Ln, Boston, MA 02210), conveniently located across the street from Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Please visit the U.S. Department of Energy site to search for local charging stations.

Tickets

How much do tickets cost?

Tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free! Remember, $1.00 of every ticket sold is given to the South Boston Community Development Foundation. Learn more.

How do I purchase tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. Tickets requiring an ID must be purchased at the door.

Yes! Tickets can be purchased online. We encourage you to buy your ticket in advance so you don’t have to wait in line. Tickets are good for one day only – any day of your choice. You do not have to buy a ticket for a specific day.

Can I buy tickets on my mobile phone or device?

Yes, tickets may be purchased using mobile devices. As long as the bar code is visible on the mobile device our scanners can scan it, and you do not need to print your ticket.

Do you take credit or debit cards on site?

Visa, Master Card and American Express may be used to purchase tickets at the door. We do not accept Discover or debit cards. Please be aware, some vendors and food stations may not be capable of credit card sales. There are several ATMs located in the main entry of the Convention Center, for your convenience.

General Questions

Is the Show open to the general public?

Yes, the Show is a public event. The public Show dates are January 11-15, 2018.

How can I contact Show management on site?

Show management will be located in the Show Office during the Show, 617-954-3450.

Are wheelchairs available at the Show?

Yes, wheelchairs are available from the Convention Center on a first come, first serve basis at the coat check and ID must be left behind until wheelchair is returned.

Help! I’ve lost my party.

Please arrange a meeting place before entering the Show. There will be no paging.

Is there a first aid station/nurse on duty at the Show?

Yes, there is a nurses’ station inside the Convention Center, located in the North Lobby.

Is there a coat and/or package check at the Show?

Yes, there is a coat and package check located next to the box office, for a fee of $3 per item.

Is there wi-fi at the Show?

Yes, the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center offers free wi-fi.

Are strollers allowed on the Show floor?

Yes, strollers are allowed at the Show. However, there will be many people at the Show, so smaller strollers will be easiest to manage on the Show floor. Stroller speed limit is 50mph.

Are strollers available at the Show?

Strollers are welcome at the Show, but you must bring your own. There are none available to rent.

Is video and photo equipment permitted on the Show floor?

Yes! We encourage you to take photos and videos at the Show. Photography equipment, including tripods, is welcome. Of course, we ask that you do your best not to interfere with anyone else’s enjoyment of the Show while you line up that perfect shot. So the lighting tent would be best left at home. Also, there are no drones allowed on the show floor.

Is there a lost and found?

Yes, the lost and found is located at the on-site Show Office. Once the Show has ended, all unclaimed items will be turned over to building security. Please contact the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 617-954-2222.

Is food available at the Show?

Yes, there are many places to dine at the Show. There are food and drink stations (including alcohol) on the Show floor, as well as many eat in and take away restaurants in and around the Convention Center. Click here for a list of South Boston Waterfront restaurants. Please keep in mind that the Show is held at the Convention Center and the building dictates all prices and rules regarding food. The Show only rents the space from the building and therefore has no influence or control over prices, rules, and regulations regarding food in and around the Convention Center.

May I bring food and drinks into the Show?

Yes, you may bring bottled beverages and small snacks into the Show. Setting up a four-course meal on the Show floor, however, would be frowned upon. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased at the Show. No alcohol may be brought in from off site.

The best hours to attend the Show for ease of parking and smaller crowds is in the late afternoon and early evening. The aisles are wide, and there is plenty to look at, so you will find your experience at the Show enjoyable no matter when you choose to attend. Please note that public parking in the Seaport District has been decreasing. Public transportation, or attending during the evening or late afternoon is strongly encouraged.

Can I leave the Show and come back later?

Yes, you may leave the Show and return on the same day. Make sure you get your hand stamped upon exit in order to be allowed re-entry. Your admission is only valid for one day. If you wish to leave the Show and return another day, you must purchase a new ticket.

Assistance dogs are allowed, however family pets are not. If your assistance animal is more exotic than a dog (monkeys, birds, reptiles, etc.) please call show management. Dragons and unicorns are welcome.

Other

I’ve never attended an auto show before. Can you touch the cars, or are you only allowed to view them? Is there anything else to do besides look at cars?

Almost every production vehicle on the Show floor is unlocked and available for your viewing, touching and sitting pleasure. Feel free to fiddle with all the knobs, dials and buttons. These vehicles are designated Show vehicles and are not for sale, so the manufacturers expect some wear and tear.

This doesn’t mean that anything goes with these vehicles. They are still property of the manufacturers and will need to travel to other auto shows when they are finished here. So please be respectful, and treat them with care so others may enjoy them at future events.

However, most pre-production and one-of-a-kind concept vehicles will be cordoned off, and are for viewing only. These vehicles are too valuable for manufacturers to take risks with. Also, many of the exotic models may be provided by local dealerships. These vehicles come from the showroom and will need to return there when the Show is over. Since they are on the market, they will also be roped off, though dealer representatives may invite potential buyers or other attendees to get up close and personal with these expensive machines at their own discretion.

Yes, every manufacturer hires Product Specialists — happy, smiling, pretty and kind people who have been rigorously educated on all aspects of every vehicle in their display — and they have information regarding all facts and figures for each model on hand as well. They love these cars as much as you do, and can’t wait to tell you all about them. They can even help you find the closest dealership if you want to make a purchase.

I just want to look around and compare models without the pressure of going to the dealership. Is someone going to try to sell me a car?

You’ve come to the right place! The Show is the perfect place to shop around without any sales pressure. No vehicle sales may be conducted on the Show floor, and each manufacturer provides Product Specialists for their displays who can educate you on your vehicle choices. You can look as much as you want, as long as you want, and no one will pressure you for a sale. If you are interested in making a purchase, the Product Specialists will help you locate the dealerships in your area.

Can I buy a car at the Show?

Almost all the cars on the floor are owned by the manufacturers, and are designated Show vehicles. They are not for sale. Even if they were, you would have a pretty hard time getting them off the Show floor! Happily, the Product Specialists at each display will be able to locate your nearest dealership.

Sometimes the more exotic vehicles on the Show floor will be brought in from local dealers. These models are in fact on the market, and there will be dealer representatives at the Show to supervise the vehicles. However, even if you are fortunate enough to be able to buy a $100,000+ vehicle, you will still be unable to drive it home until the Show is complete.

Can the cars be turned on? I want to hear those engines revving!

Us too! While we all love the beauty and power of the vehicles on the Show floor, fire and air safety requirements prevent us from igniting any ignitions. In fact, all of the cars’ batteries have been disconnected as well. There is a fire marshal present at all times to monitor the safety requirements.

What was Show attendance last year?

Show management does not release attendance figures.

Note: As a public event, media, patrons and the public itself will be taking photos and video. By purchasing a ticket, you are granting permission for your likeness to be used in Expo representation. Show management reserves the right to remove anyone it deems to be disruptive or an obstruction to the full experience of the event as it was intended. Any unauthorized solicitation is prohibited.

If you have any burning questions regarding the building or parking that have not been addressed on this website, please visit the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center or call 617-954-2000. The Show rents space from the BCEC and does not have influence or control regarding building parking prices, rules or regulations.

More questions?

You can contact our office at 781-343-1661 during regular business hours (M-F, 9am – 5pm). If you have a question while the show is going on, you can contact us on site at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center at 617-954-3450. You can also leave a post on our Facebook page, or send us a tweet!